DIY flyfishing in Cuba, who can help?

[sammeke]

I am leaving for Cuba the 14 th februari and was thinking of renting me a car and travel around a bit. Looking at various reports I would visit Bay of Pigs ( Zapata reserve ) and Cayo Coco/Guillermo for some flyfishing for bones, tarpon etc. I was wondering if any of you guys had some contacts in these regio's . As a young and budget-oriented fisherman I am especially looking for people who can guide me to some fishing without asking 300 or 400 dollars a day. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

[pmanore]

I'm not sure about guides in those areas, however if you are "budget minded" renting a car in Cuba probably is not the best idea. If I remember correctly tou are looking at $80.00 USD per day!! And gas is $1.50/liter ($6.00/ Gallon). Also make sure you give the rental car company enough notice so you get the vehicle you want. If you do not reserve all they will be able to find for you is a BMW and it rents for over $150 per day.

[canuck439]

you might want to call Dave at fishtales in Calgary. He has some contact information on guides in the Cayo Coco area. Don't want to post his number, but a net search will help you out. Cost me $100 us/day plus tip. They picked you up at your resort.

[aldie]

Have a look on www.proangler.co.uk/cuba

[sammeke]

Thanks Guys,

I appreciate the feedback.
Prices around 150 dollars a day for fishing are indeed more reasonabel. But I was wondering, if I would ask any local fisherman to show me some " macabi " or " sabolo ", which are the only two words in Spanish I know ;), I wouldn't get a better deal? Is it really that hard to find someone in Cuba who has a small boat and can guide me some to fish?
Once I find Bonefish or Tarpon they should be rather easy to catch or am I wrong?
Any comments?

Regards from a very wet and cold Belgium,

Sam.

[canuck439]

When I was there, I had a guy that saw my rods and asked if I wanted him to take me out. I said yes and he guided me on some flats for about 3 hours. I paid him something like $20 because he really didn't do much other than keep me company and I was already headed to a flat I knew about So yes it is possible and it is cheap, but you need to find someone that knows where the flats are and can get you there because they are not everywhere. The problem with bonefish is not the catching, its the seeing. A knowledgable guide and second set of eyes can help you out here. There could also be some wind as well that make casting difficult, but if you have an assortment of bonefish flies (e.g. crazy charlies) and you get a good cast to them....hang on ;D. There are also permit in this area so have some crab patterns as well. I wouldn't have my heart set on Tarpon if you are not going out with a professional guide because they are a little more difficult to get at and you need local knowelge on their holes. By the way that guide I took out for the afternoon was knowledgable about catching bonefish with a flyrod. He also had knowledge of the area because he wanted to take me to a different flat. This is somewhat surprising because I don't think the cayo coco area has seen many fly rods yet, but its coming.